How to keep your indoor cat healthy

Cats are active creatures – when they’re not enjoying a snooze – who love to roam.

Exploring their environment allows them to work off all that extra energy, helping them maintain a healthy body weight.

Bringing the outside inside is therefore vital if indoor cats are going to stay as fit as a fiddle throughout their life.

It’s not just their physical condition we need to be thinking about either. Mental stimulation plays a huge role, too.

Fortunately, there’s plenty we can do to keep our indoor cats happy and healthy.

And this blog will cover everything you need to know, from scratching posts to the best nutrition.

5 steps to a happier, healthier indoor cat

1. It starts with nutrition. All cats need to be fed a diet that is complete, well-balanced and full of nutrients. House cats typically lead less active lifestyles, so can be prone to problems with obesity. Controlling food portions is crucial when managing a cat’s weight, as is feeding them dishes that contain a high-quality source of protein. Dry cat food, as part of a complete diet, is ideal for indoor cats due to the fact it can be left out for long periods, so allowing them a real sense of independence around feeding time. Always make sure your indoor cat has easy access to fresh, clean water.
2. Create a dedicated safe space. Outdoor cats have one big advantage over those housebound; they can escape out into the wild whenever things gets a bit too much at home. Maybe you’re having a few people around, or there’s some building work taking place. All that noise could leave your cat stressed out, and with nowhere to go. Creating a cat safe space is a great way to give them their own little sanctuary of peace and quiet. This could be their very own room, filled with their favorite toys, and closed off from the rest of the property. An outdoor catio, a secure play area that gives them room to exercise while enjoying fresh air, is also a good option.
3. Fun, play and toys. If we were stuck inside all the time, there’s a good chance we’d end up climbing the walls. Cats need mental stimulation. A dedicated playtime will stave off boredom while putting a smile on their face. There are hundreds of different cat toys available, so be sure to switch them up from time to time in order to keep things interesting. Interactive puzzle toys are also a brilliant idea way of keeping their brains active. Opportunities for entertainment may be limited for indoor cats, so schedule plenty of good quality one-on-one playtime with them.
4. Regular exercise. No big adventures outside mean indoor cats can struggle to remain fit and agile. Playing with toys forms a big part of any cat exercise routine, but they’ll need more than just playtime if they are to maintain peak physical health. Climbing frames and trees are fun ways for them to let off steam, as are scratching posts. Cats love to scratch, so placing posts throughout the house will mean they can work out at their leisure. It’ll also help keep their claws in good condition. Cats still enjoy the thrill of the hunt even while indoors, so playing chase and fetch is another way to get their heart rate up while keeping them moving. The amount of exercise you give an indoor cat will depend on age, weight, health.
5. Bring the outdoors indoors. Try and allow as much natural light and fresh air into your house as possible. Provide perches so they can sit near to the window and soak up the sunshine. Open windows slightly in order to let air in. If you’re concerned about your cat jumping out, safety netting can be bought. Planting an indoor cat garden will give then a literal taste of the great outdoors by allowing them to nibble on grass. If you do have a garden, supervised playtime is perfect for offering them a change of scenery. Placing a bird feeder outside the window will also give you one happy indoor cat.

Nutrition for indoor cats

Proper nutrition is vital if your indoor cat is to thrive in their home habitat.

Regardless of how active you try to keep them in and around the house, free-roaming cats do tend to expend more energy, helping to keep them trim.

Obesity is a very serious issue as it increases the risk of cats developing a wide range of health problems.

Therefore, preventing weight gain needs to be at the forefront of our minds when devising a diet for an indoor cat.

Dry cat food has a role to play due to the fact it can be easily measured out, allowing us to carefully control their portions.

We do highly recommend including wet food as part of a complete and well-balanced diet.

Wet food is often a real favorite with cats, as it’s the closest it gets to their natural diet.

Reveal’s wet food selection, containing truly limited ingredients, boasts all the nutrients needed for optimum overall health.

Our mouth-watering gravy and broth cans, pots and pouches also provide that extra bit of  moisture for cats who need a boost to their hydration levels.

They’re not bad tasting either.

Just take a look at these recipes –Tuna with Seaweed in Broth Can, Chicken Breast in Gravy Can, Chicken with Pumpkin in Broth Can and Tuna with Crab Broth Can.

All bursting with fresh, delicious goodness that will have your indoor cat purring with satisfaction.